Maris was already perched on the structure built last fall. From there it was possible to see the whole trail where the wild pigs used to pass. From the first seasons, he and his friends have set two hunting grounds in the great forest of Elk. On them, they built two platforms, now they were on the first of them. The forest of Elk was the largest in the Warmian region. Regarded as sacred by its inhabitants, it was also called the Forest of Protection. In the early days of the Teutonic invasions, it had served as a natural obstacle and shelter to Prussian resistance. It had an extremely rich and varied fauna. From deer and elk to their natural predators, bears and wolves. But of all these, wild pigs were the four friends' favorite. The hunt for the big pigs united the search for meat with excitement. The risk of being killed by an adult male weighing almost two hundred kilos, running towards you at great speed, was extremely high. But the pleasure of knocking it down overcame everything. And as a bonus a considerable amount of meat would stock the families' larders in winter.
- Is it this way? Yelled Kuchin further down on the ground.
He, Porzig and Darijus scattered corncobs, potatoes and other food scraps at the points where Maris from above, indicated. Once the service was finished, all four of them huddled on the platform with their bows and crossbows ready. They looked forward to the night.
The platform was wide and comfortable, and surrounded the entire tree. It allowed each hunter to watch one direction, at an angle of three hundred and sixty degrees. At two points, there was a base of clay and stones, and in them, a small fire allowed everyone to warm themselves on the coldest nights. Over time they discovered that the animals, especially the wild pigs, were unaware of this light high up in the trees. This was due to the simple physical impossibility for these animals to look up. Not even the smell of the human being could be perceived, as it flowed with the wind blowing in the canopies, unlike the wind near the ground. They talked animatedly about the pros and cons of each weapon they used. Porzig, Darijus and Kuchin extolled the strength and precision as well as the beauty of their crossbows. Maris made fun of it, as he discoursed on the lightness and, especially the repeating speed of his Hun bow of yew and double-stranded elk sinew.
- While your graces are firing one arrow at this contraption, I have already fired four. All thanks to the diagonal position of my quiver and my speed in pulling them out. In a duel with me, they would hardly stand a chance; I would kill all three of them before they could arm their crossbows! He spoke between theatrical movements describing the draw of the bow.
- You wouldn't have time to aim at Maris, before that you would be shot, without even knowing where the shot came from! Rebuts Porzig proudly shaking his gun.
- Silence, whispered Kuchin! As he pointed to the south, where the trail began coming out of the trees.
Two points of light were aimed exactly at the hole. The approach was slow, careful even, but constant. Further, an indefinable sound made itself heard. A different sound, not the howl of a wolf, nor the squeaky bark of a fox, but a mixture of both and more. It sounded loud and angry. Hearing that, everyone held their breath almost at the same time.
- Was that a scream? Whispered Darijus in distress.
- It sounded like a mixture of a scream and the roar of an elk. Moose being killed by a bear, once at...! Kuchin interrupted Porzig.
- Shhhhhh, look! He said, pointing at the trail.
The eyes disappeared.
- Damn it, whatever it is, it scared our prey away! Reinforced Kuchin.
- But what could it be, I have never heard anything like it! Maris exclaimed in confusion.
- Surely, it was a moose being torn apart by a bear or a pack of wolves; I have heard a similar sound, once further north in the lakes, hunting near the border! Said Porzig.
Nothing else was heard for a long time. Only the natural sounds of the forest. Porzig and Darijus had fallen asleep and Maris was sipping from her wineskin enjoying the night sky. Through the clouds I glimpsed, gaps filled with stars.
- Guys, we have new visitors! Whispered Kuchin again as he woke up his sleeping colleagues with a tap on the shoulder.
From the same spot to the south now moved not one, but five pairs of even brighter eyes, which approached the site of the barn with even more wandering and caution. The crossbows were being silently armed. Maris drew one of his arrows and stretched it across the bow to its limit. The noises were now familiar. Low, anxious grunting in conjunction with snoring. The snores were defiantly louder, emitted probably by the leading male of the pack. This one could be distinguished from the others by the size of his figure and his position in front of everyone. From a distance, even in the darkness they could see and hear the stick wallowing in the delicious remains. All the arrows turned toward the biggest one. Kuchin made a little sign with his mouth, and they all shot at the same time. The grunt that followed was sad and terrifying. Hit by the hail of arrows the wild pig had little to do, it snarled loudly as it turned toward the trailhead to flee. He walked only a few meters and dropped dead. The rest of the pack dispersed quickly in all directions disappearing into the depths of the forest.
The climb down the tree was festive and lively, within minutes, the friends were around the animal, discussing the best way to clean it and share the meat.
- It's a good animal, but not the biggest I have ever seen! Said Darijus with a touch of contempt in his voice.
- I have actually seen bigger, it's not meat for the whole winter! Porzig confirmed.
- Now fellas, the night is just beginning. Let's move on to the second platform and see what the hunting gods have in store for us! Maris added.
- That's it! Let's lift the carcass onto the platform. There it will be free of the butchers. At this temperature, the meat is well preserved and we can collect everything on the way back! Kuchin agreed.
The platforms had on the opposite side of the entrance, a set of pulleys and ropes that served for this purpose.
Porzig seemed not to like the idea and, fearfully, tried to interfere.
- Are you sure about that? We have at least a four-hour walk into the forest. We have never gone this far and at this time of night!
- Do you have an appointment? Is there a lady we don't know waiting for you at home? Kuchin asked in an irritated tone.
- No, of course not, let's go ahead then! Answered the young man trying to show the courage he couldn't find.
They proceeded to the second platform, located about two hours from the border, near the set of lakes north of Vistula Bay. The clouds that infested the sky at the beginning of the night seemed to have dropped abruptly and formed a dense fog that invaded the entire forest. They arrived on schedule, but did not expect that unpleasant surprise painting the entire area around the second hunting spot a pale gray. To compensate a little, the sky had become clear and a beautiful quarter moon was now shining brightly. Again, they got into position and lit the fires at each end of the structure.
- Attention people, visits here by the Southwest, where we came from, only one now and it is approaching very slowly! He whispered.
Kuchin found the animal's behavior strange. Appearing this fast was not at all surprising, but being on the same trail as them was not very natural behavior. The path was filled with the smell of men and death, he couldn't believe it, but the thing seemed to have followed them there. He ignored these thoughts and helped put out the fires. Everyone turned in the direction the animal was coming from. Despite the distance and even amidst the fog they could distinguish the eyes glowing in the darkness, they were not their natural yellow, they were red. The figure came sniffing around, and then stopped completely. And it stayed there, still and without making a sound.
- What is that thing doing? Kuchin whispered to everyone and to himself.
- Is everyone hearing this? Darijus asked, also whispering.
- Hearing what? Porzig answered.
- That silence! Whatever that thing is doesn't make a sound, and it seems to have silenced everything around it. A wild pig would have already advanced grunting to the barn, and would be feasting on the remains we left behind. Besides the fact that it came on our trail, as if it was following us! Added Kuchin.
- That's what I thought too, that's not a wild pig down there. His silhouette in the darkness and his posture make him look that way, but his behavior is nothing like what I have come across in our hunts! Maris returned, as he sharpened his vision and tried to identify the creature in the mist.
A new sound was heard. It was like a snake hissing, then several shrill laughs. It was like a single voice, but with several echoes of it. The sounds filled the atmosphere in a supernatural way and drove them into a numbing dread. Instinctively everyone cringed and tried to get closer to each other. The mingling of laughter and wheezing suddenly stopped, and then the animal did the unthinkable. Slowly he turned his eyes upwards, exactly in the direction of the platform, exactly in their direction. Then he stood upright, not like a bear about to attack, and never like a pig, but like something else, almost human.
- Definitely not a wild pig! Porzig declared.
Kuchin's eyes widened and he found himself unable to close his mouth, as he glimpsed what he could not conceive. Maris in an instinctive gesture drew one of the arrows, but due to the tremor that overtook him, he could not get a perfect aim, and the arrow went far from the target. Even under the threat of being hit, the thing strangely didn't move, it stood still staring at them from above, as if to challenge them.
- Light the fires. Maris gather the rope on the pulley! Kuchin ordered.
- But how! That thing will see us, let's make our position clear! Porzig questioned, coming out of his fetal position with his eyes flooded with tears of pure fear.
- The ropes are already up here. As for the fires, whatever, that thing has already seen us! Maris noted lividly.
The creature was still there, erect, easily reaching two meters in height and with an indefinable silhouette due to the distance and the fog. Kuchin decided to attack in the way that was possible, he armed his crossbow and took aim. At the same instant, the creature moved quickly to the left and disappeared.
- You bastard! Maris was trying to see something in the fog.
- Just ahead to the right, how did you get there so fast? Darijus wondered aloud.
-I have him in my sights! Shouted Porzig after wiping his eyes and adjusting the crossbow.
Again, the thing seemed to anticipate the shots and crumbled into the mist between the trees.
- What the hell! That thing seems to guess what we are going to do! Shouted Kuchin quickly sliding down the platform in search of the creature.
- By God, it's down here! Shouted Porzig, pointing to the root of the tree.
- I know, let's burn it all down here, that thing should burn like any other flesh and blood thing! Said Maris as he lit the arrowhead on the fire.
He aimed at a clump below about eight meters to the right. The arrow dug into the ground and immediately went out. The ground around them was damp from the lingering fog. Porzig thoughtlessly rearmed the crossbow and quickly fired in the direction of the thing, which easily spun its body on its own axis to the right and dodged. It seemed to enjoy the game of cat and mouse they were playing. Again, it reappeared quickly about ten meters away from the tree. It disappeared again behind an elm tree and remained so for some time. The four hunters searched desperately in the darkness for some sign, and then something pierced the night air. It hit Darijus directly in the chest, who went to the ground unable to contain his scream. It was the head of the wild pig hunted on the first platform. Thrown from somewhere in the forest, the macabre gift hit the platform floor heavily and rolled a few inches toward Maris, who stuttered in disbelief.
- That, t...t...thing thinks! And it's playing with us!
- Well then, let's not disappoint it. Whatever it is, it's afraid of the arrows, or it wouldn't be dodging them so deftly! Kuchin hissed, between his teeth.
They searched for it again on the ground just below, in the mist, but found no sign.
- Up in the trees, above! Porzig stammered as he pointed to the top of a nearby pine tree.
The thing had climbed the tree and was now peering up at them. The red, evil, half-closed eyes stared at the platform. The position of its body was clearly human; it was crouching on the thickest branch near the canopy and the outstretched arm holding another branch nearby. Everyone now stared in disbelief, at the creature that seemed to have a tail; the skull was disproportionate to the body, much larger than that of any human being. And horns, clearly horns protruded from his head, at an angle similar to sheep's. The sight was terrifying, Porzig let out a scream of terror and desperately cocked his crossbow for another shot, but the string didn't lock on the trigger accidentally shooting the arrow downward, through his foot that was in the gun's chock. The stabbing pain made him emit a terrible scream; the poor man had shattered his own foot.
When the creature heard him, it began to move its head frantically, as if searching the air for something, perhaps the smell of blood or fear that takes over its prey before it is killed. Kuchin tried to remain calm, armed his crossbow and with precision fired toward the perched demon. In an unbelievable twist, the creature used its arm for support and climbed up a branch deflecting the arrow. Then he jumped to the ground, disappearing again into the thick fog. The hissing was again heard followed by the satanic laughter and its echoes.
- By all that is holy, that...that is a Devil! Shouted Darijus into the emptiness of the night, eyes wide, congested with growing terror.
- If it is, so be it, you are going to have a lot of trouble dragging us back to the hell you crawled out of! Kuchin exclaimed.
- The devil won't take me that easily either! Exclaimed Darijus as he began to check the damage on Porzig's foot.
- It's really quite a mess we have here, my friend! He said to his already fainted friend.
- And there is the damn thing again! Maris exclaimed as he pointed to an even closer pine tree.
The position was strictly the same; the creature demonstrated an unusual, supernatural agility and speed. The three who were conscious could not believe on what they saw. It was as if the ancient legends told for centuries throughout Prussia flashed before his eyes. From the legendary demons, to the Nordic Volkodlaks and Berzerkers everything made sense now.
¾ Maris, isn't the pine tree where the cursed one stands made of Greek fire resin? Questioned Kuchin as he looked at the tree more closely.
- I'm not sure, but it could be, it's very common around here. I will try it! Said his friend noticing the idea.
He lit the tip of the arrow and shot it at one of the thicker junctions of the branches next to the trunk. The creature leaped into the mist disappearing again, while the arrow began to burn close to the trunk.
- Perfect, look for trees like that on the perimeter and try to set them on fire too! Reinforced Kuchin, before questioning Darijus.
- How is Porzig?
- Losing a lot of blood. I'm not sure he will last until dawn! He exclaimed sadly.
- It's going to be a long night; we must hold on tight and see what the day holds! Kuchin concludes.
Maris shot at three more nearby trees, but only two of them continued in a burning process much slower than desired. They soon gave up on the idea and began to alternate between watching and caring for Porzig. It was the longest night of their lives, but to everyone's relief, it went by without any further sign of the demon, or whatever that was. Maris was now on his shift, but neither of them had slept. Porzig still unconscious groaned in whispers as the blood drained from the wound. Kuchin on the other side of the platform was roaming the surrounding forest with his crossbow armed. At one point, he stopped and declared.
- We need to go back to Balga and get help! He said.
- Agreed! Porzig won't resist any longer, I did what I could on the wound, but...! Darijus paused in a doubtful tone.
- The devil is gone! Exclaimed Kuchin indignantly.
- The day has dawned; these beings are creatures of the night! Declared Maris.
- Stop this nonsense man, whatever it was, it was human, the silhouette of the body left no doubt! Kuchin said.
- But what about the horns and the tail, your grace has also seen. He was a Valak, no doubt about it. A soldier from hell! Maris stammered again.
- Horns, tails? What are you talking about man, I'm honestly not sure what I saw, and now is not the time to be afraid of urban legends. It was very dark and the fog did not allow us to see properly. It could have been anything, even some landowner trying to scare us, which, by the looks of it, he succeeded in doing. We have to think clearly and save ourselves! Said Kuchin, bringing everyone back to reality. And he added.
- Maris and I return to Balga. Darijus, your grace will stay here and look after Porzig until we return!
- Yes, we can't leave him alone here! Darijus agreed deeply relieved not to have to get down to the ground. Not until he was sure that, the creature was gone.
They climbed down the trunk ladder that started from the thickest branch below, the base of the entire structure. Kuchin reached the ground and leaned against the tree, traveling at an angle of one hundred and eighty degrees with the armed crossbow. Maris came soon after with the bow across his back. They both took one last look up and nodded to Darijus who was waving back from the platform.
They didn't go very far, the rhythm had to be slow and careful. Each step was preceded by a full scan of the route. Maris was leading the way with his armed bow followed by Kuchin and his crossbow.
- Kuchin, over there on the right! Maris pointed the bow in the indicated direction.
- What is it? I can't see anything! He affirmed, startled.
- I...I think...I think it was nothing, I thought I saw a figure moving among those bushes! Stammered Maris.
- Easy man, take a deep breath and keep walking! Kuchin encouraged.
They walked a hundred meters ahead and then froze. Further ahead the thing was there, exactly in the middle of the trail. Due to the distance and the bizarre appearance, both simply could not even conceive what it was. Kuchin unblinkingly fired in the direction of the creature, which once again dodged and disappeared. It reappeared a few meters away, but now much further to the right. Maris fired three arrows in a row at a forty-five degree angle to the creature's left, as if predicting the direction it would go when it swerved. The tactic worked, the last arrow hit the back of the beast's thigh, which let out a cry of pain, but still disappeared into thin air.
Despite everything, they moved on, going back to the platform was not an option. After a few meters, they heard a noise, to the right turning on the trail. The thing was behind them. On a promontory of rocks, the creature stood erect and haughty, without any fear of being hit. The arrow was still through his thigh, but the wound was not bleeding.
The body was muscular; the darker legs seemed to display a coat that looked more like a black mist. But nothing was more terrifying than the head. The texture of the face seemed to be bony, as if the skin was tremendously stretched over the bones. The features were human, but much more grotesque. The ears were pointed and followed at the same angle, the pair of arched horns. The mouth was huge, disproportionate to the face, full of pointy teeth and was open in a kind of devilish laughter. Before they could aim in his direction, the beast brought his right hand toward his inner thigh. With his long claws, he held the arrow firmly and quickly pulled it out of there. Then he lifted it above his head and emitted the now familiar chilling hiss, accompanied by the tetchy laugh. Maris and Kuchin looked at each other almost at the same time, in a mutual panic that could be felt in the air that separated them. And in that dread, they came to the same conclusion. The devil demonstrated his power and strength with an almost human sarcasm, taunting their desperate souls.
With no alternatives and no hope, they both ran off in the opposite direction. The legs felt numb, heavy, seemed unresponsive. Maris felt himself urinating as he took a shot down the narrow trail. Soon he, younger and more athletic, was leaving Kuchin behind. At the first curve before the trail gains in width, he was already a few meters ahead, a good distance from his friend, and he didn't dare look back. He did not see the moment when a shadow crossed the trail and dragged Kuchin into the forest. He thought he heard a scream, but didn't stop to make sure. He walked straight ahead to a small stream that cut across the path to the Citadel. As he tried to cross it, he tripped and fell, violently beating his chest on the stony ground. He turned over groaning in pain, cursing as he supported his chest with one hand. He stood up panting and tried to continue, but could not. He felt his back being pierced and what looked like claws protruding from his chest.
Darijus woke up in a startle; he seemed to have heard screams in the distance. He sharpened his ears while holding his breath. The other hand held Porzig's head, which had not regained consciousness, but was still breathing. He heard nothing else, only the birds and the wind in the trees. He turned to pick up the wineskin of water, while running his eyes through the forest to make sure there was no sign of the demon. But, unfortunately, there it was, a few dozen meters from the platform. It was coming down the trail at a run very similar to that of a man. However, that was not a man that was an Astaroth, an emissary from hell. He remembered the Nadruvian prayers of protection his mother had taught him as a child and began to recite them. Without being able to take his eyes off the creature, he gently released Porzig's head while sliding to his crossbow that was already armed. The demon immediately disappeared below the platform, he moved to the other side planning to hit it when it appeared on the other side, to catch the creature in its passage, but this didn't happen. The thing disappeared just below the floorboards, it seemed to have evaporated. Blinking continuously, demonstrating his mental confusion, the young man felt a heavy impact at the opposite end of the platform. He turned around in time to see his tormentor crouched down, with red, densely evil eyes staring at him. He looked sadly at Porzig who no longer seemed to be breathing, turned and shot one last time in the demon's direction. The arrow hit the left arm of the beast that howled in pain as it staggered backwards. Surprised by the success of the shot, he quickly charged another arrow, but was brutally interrupted by a second attack. It seemed to recover very quickly.